Abstract: An apparatus for use in a downhole tool is provided. The apparatus includes a membrane configured to isolate an internal environment of the downhole tool from one or more further environments, internal and/or external to the downhole tool; and an electrical element configured to conduct an electrical current. The electrical element is positioned with respect to the membrane such that energy generated by the electrical current passing through the electrical element is incident on the membrane. The membrane is configured to be weakened and/or ruptured when the energy is incident thereon to allow fluid communication between the internal environment and the further environment.

Abstract: A deployable electrical contact device is provided that includes a body portion and a mounting arrangement. The mounting arrangement is controllably deployable from the body portion. The mounting arrangement is configured to retain the device at a position at a metallic well structure by mechanically engaging with a wall surface of the metallic well structure. The mounting arrangement includes electrically conductive pads configured to provide electrical continuity between the engaged metallic well structure and the mounting arrangement. The device is configured such that when deployed an electrical signal path between one or more of the conductive pads and the body portion is established to provide electrical continuity between the metallic well structure and the body portion.

Abstract: There are described devices and methods for use, for example, with signaling in a well, e.g. using a well structure of the well. Such signaling may include the communication of power and/or data signals. The devices and methods used may assist with efficient and/or effective communication of such signals. In some examples, there is described deployable devices and methods, e.g. a deployable device for signaling contact in a well, and methods associated therewith.

Abstract: A control system automatically operates a subsea well control device on detecting that a load in an Intervention Riser System (IRS) coupled to the subsea well control device has reached a threshold. The control system has a first control unit to detect that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold and a second control unit triggering actuation of the subsea well control device. The first control unit is in communication with the second control unit and issues an activation command to the second control unit to cause it to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device. The first control unit automatically issues the activation command to the second control unit upon detecting that the load in the IRS has reached the threshold, to trigger actuation of the subsea well control device prior to structural failure of an IRS.

Abstract: A hydraulic protection system for preventing collapse of a hydraulic line is provided. The system includes a pressure sensing assembly which is arranged to monitor a pressure differential between fluid external to and fluid contained within the hydraulic line; a pressure compensation assembly adapted to be coupled to the hydraulic line. In the event of a loss of pressure in the hydraulic line occurring, the pressure compensation assembly employs the pressure of the fluid external to the hydraulic line to increase the pressure of the fluid contained within the hydraulic line. The system is arranged so that the pressure compensation assembly is operated when the pressure differential monitored by the pressure sensing assembly reaches a predetermined level, which is below a collapse pressure of the hydraulic line, so that exposure of the hydraulic line to the collapse pressure is avoided.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling fluid communication along a well tubular that includes hydraulically operated valve that includes a valve member movable between open and closed positions, and a hydraulic actuator for moving the valve member; a control system for selectively controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the actuator; a vent chamber for selectively receiving hydraulic fluid exhausted from the actuator when the valve member is moved to its closed position; and a vent conduit for selectively receiving hydraulic fluid exhausted from the actuator when the valve member is moved to its closed position. The control system has a first valve closing state in which the vent chamber is isolated from the actuator. The control system has a second valve closing state in which fluid exhausted from the actuator during movement of the valve member to its closed position is vented into the vent chamber.

Abstract: A subsea test tree assembly is provided which includes at least one subsea test tree or SSTT, the SSTT including a valve having at least one of a cutting function and a sealing function, the valve being movable between an open position and a closed position via hydraulic fluid supplied to the valve through control lines; and a control system including a source of hydraulic fluid, the control system being arranged to supply hydraulic fluid from the source of hydraulic fluid to the valve of the at least one SSTT on detecting that the control lines have been sheared, to automatically move the valve to the closed position. A method of controlling a well using an SSTT assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A downhole gauge device for use in a well is described. The downhole gauge device includes one or more electrical systems including at least one measurement means for obtaining measurement data and a data transmitting means configured to transmit measurement data to a receiving station; a first power supply configured to supply a first amount of power to any of the one or more electrical systems; a second power supply configured to supply a second amount of power that is greater than the first amount of power to any of the one or more electrical systems; and means for selectively enabling one or both of the first and second power supply.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a subsea well installation including an Xmas tree coupled to a wellhead. A guide frame is located at a lower region of the Xmas tree. A flush and cap tool (FACT) adaptor is mounted on an upper region of the Xmas tree. A tension arrangement extends between the guide frame and the FACT adaptor, to apply a compressive force through the Xmas tree.

Abstract: An autonomous intervention system configured to perform an intervention operation in a wellbore comprises a tool housing having a tool storage compartment configured to house an intervention tool. A valve arrangement permits selective communication of tools and fluid between the tool housing and the wellbore. The intervention system is configured to move in response to an activation event between a tool storage configuration in which the tool housing is isolated from the wellbore by the valve arrangement and an activated configuration in which the valve arrangement is open and the tool housing communicates with the wellbore to permit deployment of the intervention tool by a tool deployment arrangement.

Abstract: A valve seat for a valve is disclosed, the valve seat facilitating cutting of a body located within the seat. The valve seat includes a sealing surface for sealing with a valve member and an annular cutting component having a plurality of cutting teeth. The cutting teeth are circumferentially spaced and each defines an elongate crest. A valve is disclosed having a housing with a bore), a valve member and the valve seat. The valve seat is arranged within the housing in communication with the housing bore. The valve member is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: In described examples, there are systems and methods for deployment in proximity to an abandoned well. The systems and methods may allow use of data collected from an abandoned well, in which a sensor is positioned in the open hole section, or a well having a discontinuous metallic well structure. In some examples, there is described a communication system that is configured to be deployed in an abandoned well having a discontinuous metallic well structure that may be severed below a ground region.

Abstract: A retainer system, device and method are provided for retaining a severed pipe string such as a landing string suspended from a rig of a floating vessel or platform during a failure of a primary or secondary heave compensation system and prevent the severed pipe string from flying over the rig floor. The retainer system includes a retainer device including a housing mounted to a platform or vessel, the housing defining a through bore for receiving a pipe string suspended from the platform or vessel. A safety sleeve extends through the housing. A stop arrangement is mountable on the pipe string, to permit engagement between the safety sleeve and the stop arrangement in order to limit relative movement between the housing and the pipe string in order to retain a severed pipe string in an emergency situation.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes an apparatus comprising a first and second fluid port, first and second control lines, a valve arrangement being configurable between a first state in which the first fluid port is in fluid communication with the first control line and the second fluid port is in fluid communication with the second control line, wherein the apparatus is switchable between first and second configurations responsive to pressure differentials between the first and second control lines, and a second state in which the second fluid port is in fluid communication with a pressurized line and the first fluid port is in fluid communication with a vent arrangement to thereby configure the apparatus into the second configuration, and a control arrangement for reconfiguring the valve arrangement between the first and second states in response to an actuation signal.

Abstract: A wax cutter tool for removing wax from an internal wall of an oil well tubing is provided that includes a central wax cutter tool body and one or more wax cutter elements. The central wax cutter tool body is configured to be attached to an elongate member for deployment down an oil well tubing. The wax cutter element extends radially outwards from the central wax cutter tool body and has an outer working surface for engaging the internal wall of the oil well tubing. The one or more wax cutter elements are flexible and may be compressed when deployed within the oil well tubing such that the outer diameter of the outer working surface of the one or more wax cutter elements is reduced to match an inner diameter of the oil well tubing.

Abstract: A perforating gun, perforating gun system, and method for producing the same is provided. The perforating gun includes a body and at least one cavity liner. The body has an axial length extending between a first axial end and a second axial end, and an outer radial surface extending between the first and second axial ends, an inner bore, and at least one shaped charge cavity disposed in the outer radial surface. The at least one shaped charge cavity is in fluid communication with the inner bore. The at least one cavity liner is disposed in the shaped charge cavity and is configured to retain an explosive material within the shaped charge cavity.

Abstract: Downhole water level detecting apparatus for detecting the level of water in a formation in the region of a well installation. The detecting apparatus includes a transmitter for applying electrical signals to a signaling loop at a first location. The signaling loop includes a downhole metallic structure of the well installation and an earth return. The detecting apparatus also includes a detector for monitoring electrical signals in the signaling loop, and an evaluation unit arranged for determining a level of water in the formation relative to the downhole metallic structure in dependence on the monitored signals.

Abstract: There are described methods and apparatus for determining the condition of a barrier in a well infrastructure, for example. In some examples, sensor data that has been derived from a sensor arrangement at a barrier positioned at a location in a well infrastructure in received. That sensor data may be associated with measured conditions at the barrier, or the like. Composition data derived from measurements of fluid composition within the well may also be received. Such composition data may be indicative of the location at which fluid has been in the well. Analyzing such received sensor data and composition data may help determine the condition of the barrier. In some examples, there is described well apparatus comprising a barrier for zonal isolation, a sensor arrangement configured to monitor conditions at the location of the barrier; and one or more tracer elements configured to interact with fluid at the location of the barrier so as to impart identifiable properties to the composition of fluid.

Abstract: A well installation communication system includes downhole metallic structure 2, a downhole communication unit 3, and a surface communication unit 4 arranged for electrical signal communication with the downhole communication unit via a signal channel. The signal channel includes a portion of the downhole metallic structure 2, a portion of cable 5 running within the downhole metallic structure away from said portion of the downhole metallic structure towards the surface and a connection device 6. The connection device 6 is in the signal channel between the portion of metallic structure 2 and the portion of cable 5. The connection device is removeably deployed in the metallic structure, is electrically disconnectably and reconnectably connected to the metallic structure and has a connector portion to which an end of the cable is mechanically and electrically connected.

Abstract: A landing string system and method therefor are provided. The landing string system has a measurement device with mechanical sensors that observe mechanical conditions associated with a landing string. Data-storage devices are in communication with the measurement device. The data-storage devices allow storage, from time to time, of data associated with the observed mechanical conditions. A power assembly provides power to the data-storage devices for at least an expected time of service of the system.